Conference hears how equine Strangles can be managed
The eyes of the veterinary horse world were on Scotland when a two-day event, organised by BHS Scotland and the Animal Health Trust, brought together scientists and vets at the forefront of combating equine Strangles – the world’s most commonly diagnosed infectious disease in horses.
On the first day a prestigious Dorothy Russell Havemeyer Foundation workshop involved scientists and researchers from all over the world presenting their work and exchanging research results. One of the intended outcomes of a Havemayer workshop is that those working on a cure or increased understanding of a disease should foster new collaborations.
The event concentrated on advances made possible through the completion of the Streptococcus equi and Streptococcus zooepidemicus genome sequencing projects and their implications in the prevention of Strangles.
On day two 110 delegates attended the Royal (Dick) large Animal Hospital where the event turned its concentration to the clinical problem and considered the best diagnostic and preventive techniques to be adopted during an outbreak.
Vets Ken Smith and Scott Pirie gave an insight into the pathogenesis of Strangles and Paddy Dixon followed by outlining complications that can arise. Strangles has 100 percent morbidity and an eight percent mortality rate, indicating its seriousness as a disease.
US veterinarian Mary Scollay-Ward gave a presentation on her regulation of a massive outbreak at Calder Park, Florida in 2004-2005 when approximately 30 thoroughbreds were diagnosed with the Strep equi infection. Mary spoke about the fact that it is people, not horses, who are most difficult to manage and ran through the complexities of using communication to gain the co-operation of the vets, trainers and caretakers involved.
The conference gave careful consideration of carrier status, case management and examined the prospect of an effective vaccine. Vaccine trials in mice are currently being carried out at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, and an interesting presentation on these trials was given by Jan-Ingmar Flock.
Alisdair King of Intervet UK also talked about the trials and tribulations of vaccine development and his experience with the currently withdrawn Equilis StrepE vaccine.
The remainder of the afternoon was given over to serology, with discussion of the new blood test. Kentucky vet Rob Holland explained how diagnostics using PCR, guttural pouch lavage and careful sample collection has turned Strangles into a manageable problem.
Openness in the event of an outbreak is shown to be the main defence against the spread of Strangles and the conference strongly endorsed STEPS – the “Strategy to Eradicate and Prevent Strangles”, which promotes increased awareness of the disease, the importance of early diagnosis and communication within the equine community alongside proper biosecurity as being vitally important.
Havemeyer Workshop Chairman Dr Andrew Waller said: “The progress that has been made in combating Strangles over the last 12 months is unprecedented. The genome sequencing has enabled scientists to develop a rapid and effective blood test, the equine industry has brought forward a new voluntary code in the management of outbreaks and, as a result of comparing S. equi with S. zooepidemicus, we’ve got a real chance to produce an effective vaccine.”
For further information and pictures, please contact: Helene Mauchlen, Development Officer for Scotland, The British Horse Society, 01764 656334 or H.Mauchlen@bhs.org.uk
Jan Wade, AHT press office, 07976 827999 or jan.wade@aht.org.uk
Debbie McCormack, manager of Kingsbarn EC can be contacted on 0771 789 3673
The Veterinary Surgeon in charge of the Kingsbarn outbreak, Dr David Sutton, at Clyde Veterinary Group is available for interview on 01555 660000
